The Future of Healthcare on the Ridge

On the fifth anniversary of the Camp Fire, I wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on what this day means to so many residents, community members, and Adventist Health associates. I am writing to you today to honor the integrity and resiliency of all those who stood together when the Ridge needed it most.

The unforgiving force of the Camp Fire cannot be overstated, and the lives lost that day cannot be replaced. But from the outset, this community has been steadfast in its pursuit of rebuilding the Ridge. With daunting obstacles and roadblocks standing in the way, residents have proudly paved a path towards a new Paradise, and towards the rebirth of the place they call home.

Over the last five years, and as we have entered this anniversary week, the grief that weighs heavy on this date has been evident. So, too, though has been the pride that people on the Ridge have for this community, the love that you share for each other, and the persevering spirit that has enveloped this area. We share that same spirit, that same love, and that same pride for Paradise, and we feel privileged to continue to dedicate ourselves to providing quality care for its residents.

Finally, it is my honor to share a commemorative message from the President and CEO of Adventist Health, Kerry L. Heinrich, on the fifth anniversary of the Camp Fire.

Thank you for allowing us to continue being your partners in healthcare, and in this community.

Chris Champlin
Market President for Butte, Sutter and Yuba Counties 

Adventist Health Camp Fire Anniversary Schedule

November 8, 2018 is embedded in history as a tragic day that immeasurably impacted the Ridge and the people that call it home. As the fifth anniversary of the Camp Fire approaches, Adventist Health would like to recognize and honor the resiliency of the residents, associates, and other community members on the Ridge who were impacted by the fire. 

Here are a few important dates to consider:

November 4: Phoenix 5K Commemorative Run/Walk

To commemorate the Camp Fire, the Phoenix 5K was created by Paradise Stronger as a tribute to the resiliency of the residents.

The Phoenix 5K route will follow part of the Memorial Trail and pass several important landmarks in Paradise, including the police station, fire department, the Depot Museum, the future home of the Gold Nugget Museum and the Hope Plaza.

Adventist Health is hosting a hydration station for the run and is also organizing a team of associates and family members to participate in the event.

Additionally, Adventist Health is supporting a community breakfast hosted by Paradise Stronger alongside the 5K from 8-11 a.m. The breakfast is free, and participation in the 5K is not required.

November 5: Community Daffodil Planting at Paradise Community Park

The daffodil, often regarded as a symbol of rebirth, was made the official town flower of Paradise in 2020. This year, the town of Paradise will once again host a community daffodil planting at Paradise Community Park at 5582 Black Oliver Drive in Paradise.

Adventist Health is partnering with the town of Paradise to support the event and encourages all associates to join in and plant daffodils at the park or take bulbs home to plant at their residence as symbols of hope for the future.

November 7: Camp Fire Associate Commemoration

On Nov. 7 Adventist Health will internally honor the perseverance and determination of those who have served and continue to serve the Ridge community.

November 8: Fifth Anniversary of the Camp Fire

November 18: Paradise Adventist Church Luncheon

To conclude the anniversary events, Adventist Health is partnering with the Paradise Adventist Church for a luncheon following church services in honor of the Chico Adventist Church members who graciously and willingly supported many Adventist Health associates, along with ridge residents and church members who found themselves homeless in the aftermath of the Camp Fire. The luncheon will be held at the Chico Adventist Church at 1877 Hooker Oak Road in Chico.

To download a copy of our October update, click here.

A message from Chris Champlin, Market President for Butte, Sutter and Yuba Counties and Colleen Assavapisitkul, President, Adventist Health Clear Lake

At a July community meeting in Paradise regarding the future of healthcare on the Ridge, Adventist Health reaffirmed its commitment to providing quality healthcare in the community by outlining a path to grow and evolve as the new Paradise takes shape.

The team, led by Kerry L. Heinrich, President and CEO of Adventist Health, Eric Stevens, President, Northern California Network and Hawaii State Network, and Chris Champlin, Market President for Butte, Sutter and Yuba Counties, identified key initiatives, including improving the existing infrastructure on the Ridge, recruiting talented healthcare professionals to care for the community, and developing consistent communication to keep residents informed each step of the way.

We are pleased to provide an important update on each of these initiatives.

Access to Care
Since the community meeting, Adventist Health has welcomed several new providers to the Ridge to help improve access to essential care and stabilize clinic hours. This includes:

Samuel Murala, MD, Pain Management Specialist
Dr. Murala brings extensive experience with interventional and non-interventional approaches for pain management. He practices at both the Feather River Health Center at 5125 Skyway in Paradise and the Corning Health Center at 155 Solano Street in Corning.

Jill Antell, NP-C, Women’s Health
Jill Antell is certified as a women’s health nurse practitioner and brings nearly two decades of experience in caring for patients. She practices at the Paradise Medical Center at 6283 Clark Road, Suite 5 in Paradise.

Shannon Haller-Baker, PA-C, Rapid Care Clinic
Haller-Baker's extensive experience in urgent care settings and her passion to help others to be safe and treated with respect are hallmarks of her practice. She practices at the Feather River Health Center at 5125 Skyway in Paradise.

Malgorzata Mordarska, PA-C, FNP-BC, Primary Care
“Mal” focuses on wellness and preventive medicine opportunities for her patients, helping them to find the compassionate support they need to make critical lifestyle changes. She practices at the Feather River Health Center at 5125 Skyway in Paradise.

Feather River Health Clinic Renovation Update
As communicated in the July community meeting, Adventist Health is currently under construction with a $2.4M renovation and expansion project at the Feather River Health Center on Skyway in Paradise. This initiative will create a larger, dedicated Rapid Care Clinic area, remodel the Primary Care Clinic to increase patient access and provider capacity and re-establish Women’s Imaging to offer mammography and bone density tests on the Ridge.

This important construction is currently on schedule, with a target completion date of early December 2023. Adventist Health looks forward to welcoming patients to the renovated spaces in early January 2024.

Feather River Hospital Campus Update
Adventist Health is both aware and appreciative of the community’s significant interest in the Feather River Hospital campus and its surrounding facilities. Adventist Health has assessed each building and is actively forming a demolition plan for facilities that have no pathway for future use. We will provide an update, including a timeline for this process, as soon as possible.

Once a demolition timeline is established, Adventist Health intends to provide an opportunity for community members and past and present associates to memorialize the hospital and its impact on the Ridge. We expect to provide additional details by early November.

Camp Fire Commemoration
As the fifth anniversary of the Camp Fire approaches, Adventist Health plans to commemorate the resiliency of the Ridge and its residents. Further updates will be provided to community members and associates promptly.

Commitment to Communication
Adventist Health is committed to delivering monthly updates on the progress of current as well as new initiatives on the Ridge, both across social media as well as this dedicated webpage highlighting on the ridge. Additional communications will be delivered to the community as appropriate. To download a copy of our September update, click here.

Adventist Health is steadfast in its commitment to providing care that aligns with the needs of Paradise, the Ridge and future care delivery for rural communities. As part of the Camp Fire in 2018, Adventist Health Feather River experienced considerable structural and physical plant damage, rendering it inoperable and ultimately leading to its closure in November 2018. At this time, the area lacks an adequate population, a varied mix of payors, medical providers, and medical necessities to sustain the establishment of a new, fully operational hospital. And, as the community, and world, has changed dramatically since COVID-19, so too has our approach to care delivery, which ultimately has led to our decision not to rebuild the hospital. Our plan will evolve over time to adapt to the needs of our community and stay on pace with the rapidly changing world of healthcare. This is a strategy for the future that includes accessible, sustainable, and dependable healthcare for this community. One that provides the services that people can depend on while also securing stable, competitive careers for the healthcare workers in this area.

Adventist Health has worked tirelessly to reestablish a variety of core services across our two clinics in Paradise. This includes:

• Addiction Services
• Behavioral Health
• Dental
• Dermatology
• Imaging
• Lab draw stations
• Pediatric and Primary Care
• Rapid Care
• Specialty Care
• Women’s Health

Adventist Health is currently investing $2.4M to renovate the Feather River Health Center on Skyway. This initiative will create a larger, dedicated Rapid Care Clinic area, remodel the Primary Care Clinic to increase patient access and provider capacity and re-establish Women’s Imaging to include mammography and bone density tests.

New Rapid Care Unit — Adventist Health will convert the former pharmacy area on the main floor to create a new 2,100-square-foot Rapid Care Unit with eight exam rooms and a dedicated space for associates and providers. Our Rapid Care Clinic is designed to treat a wide range of medical conditions that require attention quickly, usually within 24 hours, but are not life-threatening emergencies.

New Primary Care Clinic — Adventist Health will redesign the medical records office on the lower level to create a new, dedicated 2,300-square-foot Primary Care Clinic with seven exam rooms and a waiting area.

New Women’s Imaging Services —These services will provide mammograms and bone density tests and will be added adjacent to the Rapid Care Clinic to serve the Women’s Health Clinic. The Feather River Health Center on Skyway will continue to see patients during construction.

Additionally, as we assess Feather River Hospital and its surrounding facilities, we will begin demolition of portions of structures that have no pathway for further use to lay the foundation for future plans.

As plans progress, we will consistently communicate our actions and plans to residents of this community every step of the way. And, as part of charting our future serving the community, we will continue to engage the community to determine how best to serve the continuing needs of the region. We continue to value the input and guidance of local leaders and have incorporated it into our strategy.